What is a civilization?

Think back..

• As we discussed last week, we humans have spent the majority of our history as hunter-gatherers: people who moved from place to place following their food sources. People never settled down or stayed in one place long enough to make building shelter necessary. They HAD to keep moving.

The Neolithic Revolution

• The event that changed everything was the Neolithic Revolution. Like any revolution, this meant a big change occurred in society. This particular change was when humans went from relying on hunting and gathering to learning about FARMING.

Benefits of Farming

• Led to permanent settlements (what we calls towns and cities today)

• Establishment of social classes (rich, poor, etc.)• The rise of civilizations: an advanced state of human society

with a highly complex culture.

But was it really a good thing?

• Once you’ve completed a Close & Critical Reading of “The Worst Mistake in Human History,” explain WHY you agree or disagree with ONE (1) of the points Jared Diamond makes.

5 Characteristics of Advanced Civilizations

• Advanced cities• Specialized workers• Complex institutions• Record keeping• Improved technology

Advanced Cities

• Cities are more than just large groups of people living together

• Centers of trade for larger areas

Specialized Workers

• Food surpluses provided the opportunity for specialization – the development of skills in a specific kind of work. (examples?)

• Artisans – skilled workers who made goods by hand• Helped cities become centers of trade

Complex Institutions

• Soaring populations made government – or a system of ruling – necessary

• Institution: long-lasting pattern of organization in a community

• Ex: Government, religion, economy

Record-keeping

• Why is this important?• Keeping track of things• Beginning of written history

Improved Technology

• New tools and techniques are always needed to solve problems that emerge when large groups of people live together.

• Artisans relied on technology to make tasks easier• Ancestors in Sumer discovered that melting copper and tin

made bronze. The Bronze Age: refers to when people started using bronze, as opposed to copper and stone, to fashion tools and weapons. Started in 3000 BC

Exit Ticket – ONE paragraph

• Of the 5 characteristics of an advanced civilization, choose one (1) and explain its importance in your own words. How does it impact your life today?